<p>I'm think I am going to apply RD to Middlebury if I am rejected/deferred from my ED school and I noticed that on the supplement it asks whether or not applicants want to be considered for an alumni interview. I looked on the Midd website and it states that interviews are not required and that students who don't have interviews won't be disadvantaged. </p>
<p>The thing is, I would interview with Midd but if I apply I'm already going to have to do a bunch of other interviews and (like many of you, I'm sure) I have very little free time because my schedule's pretty much jam-packed with activities and work etc. As a result, if I apply, I am tempted to check the "no" box in regards to whether or not I want to be contacted for an interview.</p>
<p>I completely understand that Middlebury won't hold it against student if they don't interview... but is this only in cases where students want interviews and they just aren't available? Will my chances be significantly affected if I don't show enough interest to request an interview?</p>
<p>I have visited the campus and gone to an info session/tour, and I have met twice with different Midd reps visiting my school... I'm also on the mailing list... so I have shown SOME interest. Will not interviewing be a red flag?</p>
<p>Figuring out how much stock to put in college’s statements about interviewing is like trying to read tea leaves. That said, I see no reason not to take Middlebury (and Carleton, and others) at their word when they say that not having an interview is not a strike against you. Just as I think Bates means it when it says quite clearly that not interviewing may put you at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>The only downside of NOT interviewing at Midd, as I see it, is that you may be missing an opportunity to help your cause by showing something positive that doesn’t come out in your app.</p>
<p>Alumni interviewers complete a form that is sent to the college and included with your file. When the admissions committee meets to discuss your candidacy, they will read your alumni interview report (if there is one). It’s an excellent chance for someone who has attended Middlebury (an alum) to report on whether you would be a good fit there. You will have an opportunity to explain things on your application (“I don’t test well because…”) and express your interest in the school by asking specific questions that demonstrate your knowledge of the college. </p>
<p>I would find the time to participate in the interview if Middlebury is one of your top choices. If you don’t accept the request, the interviewer will note that in the report and indicate your reason for declining (if you give one). BTW–“I don’t have a lot of time” isn’t a good excuse.</p>
<p>arcadia, the OP noted that Midd’s supplement to the common app asks whether or not you want an alumni interview. If you do not indicate that you want an interview, will a Midd alumn still contact you and prepare an interview form? I would think not, but I really don’t know how Midd deals with this.</p>
<p>Son’s experience last year was that despite checking the box he would like an alumni interview, he didn’t have one. I called a friend of mine who is herself an alum and she told me two things, 1) Alum cannot interview kids from their children’s schools and 2) it really depends on how many alum live in the area AND how many actively participate in this capacity. I think S was sent a name but was told they would contact him and they didn’t. Anyway… a little longer story there, but no interivew and he still got in and is happy happy happy.</p>
<p>BUT Son had other interviews though and, despite having a really busy schedule that took up MOST of his available time, he still managed to have 20 minutes available to meet at a starbucks or someone’s office the once or twice that he did. In other words: It would be my advice to check the box that you’d love the opportunity and make it work if you get a call. But don’t be surprised if you don’t. Jan thru March are very busy times for people.</p>
<p>D had a phone interview for Midd, so that might be an option for you. I would check the “yes” box. If it turns out you can’t find a mutual time to have the interview, at least you tried. I don’t think they’d hold it against you but not checking the box might make it seem you’re not as interested. The phone interview was the interviewer’s choice, not D’s.</p>
<p>I know that Middlebury offers alumni interviews to all applicants living within a certain distance of an alum. I guess if you don’t check that box, you won’t be contacted. But that in itself sends a message. Why doesn’t this kid want an interview? What is he/she hiding?</p>
<p>Always request the interview. Schools want to know that you want them. They want to know why you think their school is right for you. How are you going to know that if you don’t take an offered opportunity to speak with an alum; and what will they think if they effectively offer you that opportunity and you don’t take it? We know it’s not your first choice. By not requesting the interview, which gives you an opportunity to ask specific questions about the school, they will also know.</p>
<p>I think kids need to really think about the “first choice” thing. I know they say things work out for a reason, but I also think that S being rejected from ED school gave him a really unique opportunity to reevaluate what HE wanted in a school as well as if it was a good fit.</p>
<p>So while the OP is ED elsewhere (and I “get” the somewhat laid back attitude when eggs are in a basket so to speak), not only would an interview be a good opportunity to showcase what you have to offer as a student, but it’s also an opportunity to find out what your interviewer liked best and least about the school to see if those are things that would or wouldn’t apply to you. </p>
<p>At some point the cards change hands and I think it’s important for students to really try to remember that this is only the beginning. While rejection ED made for disappointment and a very stressful couple of months around here (as in, "if they don’t want me, who will? kind of inner panic), it turned out that he had a lot of really good options come April. And part of the reason why Middlebury continued to rise to the top is S took just about every opportunity to learn more about the school. At some point you will have to draw on all the information you got while trying to convince them they want you that you indeed want them as well.</p>
<p>Modadunn, excellent point! The same holds for job interviews. When you’re making long term decisions like this, it’s important to discover what YOU want.</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies everyone! As a result of your responses, I planned to request an interview. However, fortunately, I was lucky enough to be admitted ED to Penn so I am all done with applications. I appreciate all of your input though!!</p>